Bike Reviews

The Xenith Endura line is Jamis's first foray into the endurance road, or plush, category. It uses the same grade of carbon and many of the design elements found in the company's proven Xenith race bikes?the Xenith Pro was a finalist in our Editors' Choice program last year?but with more relaxed geometry. To increase comfort, the rear triangle is more vertically compliant and the head tube is a bit taller, and the chainstays are slightly longer for improved stability. Joining the Endura 2 are the Shimano 105-equipped Xenith Endura 1 ($1,975, with compact crankset) and 1.3 ($1,995, with triple crankset); both come in women-specific versions.

The Endura 2 leans toward the lively side of plush. It takes the edge off bumps without completely shielding you from the road. It's stable in corners and on descents but doesn't feel sluggish on climbs and flat stretches. It's a bike that does many things well, and its brakeset delivers even more versatility: After much consideration, road product manager Steven Fairchild decided to give the Enduras long-reach brakes, rather than the short-reach brakes found on race bikes. "It allows for a much greater selection of tires?up to 32c," he says. "You can put a rear rack on it, and the fork has eyelets for fenders." Whether you want to mix it up on the group ride or hammer your commute, the Endura 2 will get you there, comfortably.

Buy It: if You desire a bike that can handle fast club rides as well as rail-trail excursions
Forget It: if You run only skinny tires